Darcy’s mouth ran dry—not from disbelief, but from the blunt openness of what Bingley was saying. “And you agreed with her?”
“Yes,” Bingley said, his tone softening. “Because it’s true—for you as well as for her. Darcy, in the weeks we’ve been here, I’ve seen you laugh more, smile more, live more than I ever have before. And it’s because of her. She’s good for you. You know it, and I know it.”
Darcy stared at his friend, his emotions warring between indignation and the undeniable truth in Bingley’s words. “And what about Elizabeth? Did it occur to either of you that she might not appreciate being maneuvered like a pawn in your matchmaking efforts?”
Bingley winced but did not back down. “We thought she might need a nudge. That’s all. But clearly… something went wrong.”
Darcy’s gaze turned distant as he pieced together the fragments of the puzzle.Wrong?That was putting it only mildly. Indeed, something had gone wrong—horribly, painfully wrong—and now Elizabeth was gone. He clenched his fists. “I’m going to London.”
Bingley blinked, startled. “To find her?”
“To fix this,” Darcy said, his tone clipped and final. “Whatever misunderstanding has driven her away, I will not let it stand.”
Bingley let out a breath, relief flickering in his expression. “Then I suppose I’d better wish you luck.”
Darcy’s lips tightened, but he said nothing more. His thoughts were already in London, with Elizabeth, determined to set things right.
Elizabeth Bennet bustled aboutthe Gardiners’ drawing room, her hands full with a tangle of ribbons. “Aunt, are you certain we have enough? We could order more before tomorrow.”
Mrs. Gardiner glanced up from the sprig of holly she was affixing to a centerpiece. “We are perfectly well-supplied, my dear. And you are entirely too industrious for a girl on holiday. Surely, you ought to rest.”
Elizabeth gave a forced laugh, her fingers nimbly arranging the ribbons into a neat bow. “I find I prefer to be busy.”
Her aunt’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly. “You have not mentioned the Netherfield party once since you arrived. Tell me, is everything in order for it?”
Elizabeth’s stomach lurched, but she immediately forced a smile. “Oh, I am sure they have it well in hand. Jane has such a knack for these things, and Mr. Bingley is… quite enthusiastic.”
“Only Mr. Bingley?” she asked with a knowing look. “What about—”
Elizabeth was already bracing for her aunt’s inevitable question when the butler appeared at the door.
“Forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet. A caller has arrived and asking for Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth frowned, setting aside the ribbons. “A caller? For me?”
“Yes, miss. Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth’s heart skipped painfully, her hands freezing mid-motion. She managed a weak “Oh.”
Her aunt’s brows lifted in surprise, but a sly glint entered her eyes as she rose to her feet. “Well, well. Speak of the devil.”
Devil… hardly a devil. But certainly, no angel, either. Elizabeth swallowed and barely had time to swipe trembling hands over her flaming cheeks before the door opened, and there he was. Tall… impeccably dressed, as always, but for that one curl of hair that liked to fall over his forehead… eyes searing and searching, and hands flexing uncomfortably at his sides, but anyone who did not know him well would never be looking at his hands.
Darcy stepped into the room with the kind of quiet authority that seemed to shift the very air around him. His gaze swept the space once before landing back on her, and the weight of it sent a rush of heat to her belly.
He inclined his head, his movements as deliberate and composed, but it was the way he held himself—contained, yet undeniably present—that left Elizabeth’s pulse racing. She couldn’t have moved if she tried; every muscle seemed caught between the urge to flee and an unfamiliar desire to tumble into his arms and pillow her head on his chest.
“Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mr. Darcy.” How she managed to keep her voice from cracking was a mystery, for her heart was a riot.
Darcy’s eyes seemed to clear all at once, as if he had forgot her aunt was there, too. He drew in a breath and turned. “And Mrs. Gardiner. Thank you for receiving me just now.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s curious gaze flickered between them. “Mr. Darcy, how lovely to see you again.” she said briskly. “But I am afraid I was just stepping out to speak with my cook about an urgent question she had. I shan’t be more than a few minutes. Elizabeth, dear, would you entertain Mr. Darcy for a moment?”
Elizabeth turned to her aunt, mortified. “Aunt!”
“I shall not be long,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a pointed smile, sweeping out of the room and leaving the door ajar just enough for propriety.
